6-8309 FARR #4 Mikado, growling

This might sound strange, but what kind of transformer are you using?

Rick: I also bought this set in 1984 and my engine was just as noisy as yours probably is. I had mine all apart numerous times, while trying different brands of greases and oils. NOTHING every quieted this animal down. Tried shimming the gear clearance a few times, but that never seemed to improve the noise situation either.

It ran fine, but it was always noisier than any Berkshire/turbine that use the same type of chassis and drive mechanism. The 8404 turbine the next year was quiet and the UP Berk and GN Berks from the same FARR series were all quiet, but not this one.......

Lionel 1033 transformer running only it.  

D&H:  Thanks.  I was hoping there was a fix.  

I have it, and mine was noisy. I took the motor apart, cleaned and rebuilt it.

Added some oil and grease and it was better. Then one day, I had it running and it was growling again, when I stopped it, I just wiggled the motor a little inside the cab, applied power, and the thing took off quiet as ever!! Dont know what I did but it worked!

I know of a few people who bought micro thin rubber washers to put between the motor and frame on the little pegs on the chassis and it seemed to work. Just have to make sure the motor is still meshing with the gear wheel and the top of motor is still clearing the top of the cab roof and touching it, other wise you will ground it out.

Hi Rick.

 

Back in the 1980s, some of the Berk Motors were made with bronze bushings that were out of spec. It may be this is what is wrong with yours. Nobody knows why this happened as other motors ran with no noise or problems. It can be fixed & made to run & sound smoother. Give Chuck Sartor a call at 1-303-638-8357. The bushings are in the die-cast housing for the Armature shaft & hold oil in order for the shaft to turn smooth & freely in the housing. There are 2 of them altogether & it would be better for both of them to be replaced at the same time. That way, you should have no more trouble.

  Under the motor there is a set screw that might need adjusted. If this is not properly adjusted you will get motor growl.

 

Bill